DENTAL PROGRAM

KEY DENTAL SERVICES

Examinations

X-Rays

Simple Extractions

Fillings

Partial and Full Dentures

Teeth Cleaning

Fluoride treatment for

Children 0-5 The Free Clinic of Simi Valley began offering dental services in

2006. The Dental Program includes volunteer dentists assisted

by dental hygienists, dental assistants, and patient advocates.

Supervision of the Dental Program is provided by Dr. Ean

Kleiger, DDS, as a volunteer Director of Dental Services.

Although Dr. Kleiger lives and practices outside of Simi Valley,

he works diligently to improve services of the Clinic's Dental

Program. Through his leadership, the Clinic continues to attract

volunteer dentists, now totaling 14.

High Demand & Long Waits for Dental Care

The Dental Program of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley is the

most in-demand service of the Clinic.

The Free Clinic of Simi Valley is the ONLY free clinic in

Ventura County offering comprehensive dental services to

all marginalized residents. There are no Dental services for

low income children and seniors in East Ventura County!

Three week waits to see a dentist are not uncommon. The

Clinic tries to prioritize those that are in pain.

“Free dental clinic” and “low cost dental” are the top Search

terms on the Clinic’s website, after the Clinic’s hours.

The Free Clinic treats those patients with no health or

dental insurance, which means they have no other option

for emergency and most preventive dental procedures in

the service area or in the county.

Free Clinic 2015 Dental Service Statistics:

3,781 Patient Contacts - A 33.5% Increase over 2014!

Dental Program

Children

According to the 2013 Simi Valley Community Hospital Community

Health Needs Assessment, 9.2% of children in Ventura County have

never been to a dentist. 4% of all county children had not visited

the dentist in the past year.

Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills’ 2013 Community Needs

Assessment (which includes East Ventura County): (1) listed lack of

dental care as number six in the top ten most significant health needs

for the service area among low-income, minority, and medically

underserved populations; (2) indicated that 36% of East Ventura

County’s youth lack dental insurance coverage, which is higher

than the state’s 33%, indicating that this lack of insurance stops

the parents from bringing the children for preventative services such as

routine dental checkups and fluoride varnishes causing higher number

of childhood dental carries in the area, (3) poverty is a barrier to

accessing health care, dental care and other services that are

necessities to lead a healthier life. (4) 12% of children in East Ventura

County live in poverty.

Seniors

Ventura County’s 15,000 low-income seniors who subsist on an

annual income of $11,770 or less in a county where the cost of

living is 165% above the national average. Yet, dental care is vital

to proper nutrition, socialization, and treating debilitating diseases.

45% have untreated cavities; 35% have severe periodontitis, and

33% have endentia – conditions also associated with chronic

diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, oral cancer, pain

and disability and respiratory diseases. Embarrassment from missing

teeth or ill fitting dentures and halitosis often leads to neglected care

and social isolation.

Oral health effects both length and quality of life. Of Ventura County’s

approximately 165,000 seniors, 10% cannot afford dental treatment

and/or have unaddressed advanced oral disease. Medicare

provides no dental coverage. Only 2% of Ventura County seniors have

private dental insurance.

The Free Clinic’s dental professionals and administrators estimate that

the percentage of low income seniors in our service area lacking

usable dental coverage is close to 85%. Based on actual income,

low income adults and seniors in our service area lack the mean to pay

for dental work out of pocket.

My heartfelt appreciation to all dentists, assistants and staff of the Free Clinic

Dental Clinic in Simi Valley. My mouth was in much need of the repair and it

was not easy to smile without showing defective teeth. Thanks for giving me

my smile back and to make chewing food enjoyable once again. Many

heavens blessings always be yours. — C.S.

Thank you so much for helping me at the Simi Valley Free Clinic. My mouth

hurt so badly and it was so embarrassing to smile. I felt I had all day long and

even lost too much weight because it hurt so bad to eat. You gave me hope. I

was so happy to finally have the teeth extracted and cannot wait for my partial

[denture]. You have no idea what a difference it is making already.

— Anonymous

Thank you to the doctors, the dental assistants and especially OLGA!! What a

wonderful and fulfilling experience. Every dental challenge that I experienced

was handled so professionally and with exacting concern and compassion.

The overall experience was an awesome hit, a home run, an 11 on a 10 scale.

Mahalo [Hawaiian for “Thank You” - Thank you Olga - No Ka Oi [Hawaiian for

the “The Best”] from the Entire Mouth a Grandiose Success — Anonymous

I would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Free Dental Clinic of Simi

Valley. I am so very grateful for all you have done for me. I have always been

afraid of going to the dentist but after my first visit they made me feel

extremely comfortable. Some of the nicest people I’ve met are the dentist and

staff of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. You guys rock! Please continue to do

the amazing job that you are doing. I am forever grateful. Thanks again! All

the best! — Anonymous

Thank you so very much for your generous support! Because of your

contribution my 14 year-old daughter was able to get the fillings that she

needs. We didn’t know where to go when she was told she had 6 cavities.

We don’t have the means to cover this kind of expense. A friend told us to

check out the Dental Clinic and I’m so glad that we are here! In our life, it’s a

challenge to make ends meet and we are so grateful to the people who make

the Clinic run. It’s a blessing to have so many people care. — C.W.

Just A Few Dental Client Testimonials